Category Archives: Quantum Sciences

Phonons are discrete units of vibrational energy predicted by quantum mechanics that correspond to collective oscillations of atoms inside a molecule or a crystal. When such vibrations are produced by light interacting with a material, the vibrational energy can be transferred back and forth between individual phonons and individual packets of light energy, the photons. This process is called the Raman effect.Read More

Scientists have found a new way to transfer quantum information. They propose using tiny mechanical vibrations. The atoms are coupled with each other by ‘phonons’ — the smallest quantum mechanical units of vibrations or sound waves.Read More

A research team has developed a new quantum switching scheme that gives them access to new and hidden states of matter. If researchers can learn to control the hidden state, further stabilize it and determine whether it’s suitable for quantum logic operations, it could allow researchers to use it for quantum computing and other practical functions.Read More

Researchers have synthesized the first molecule capable of insulating at the nanometer scale more effectively than a vacuum barrier. The team’s insight was to exploit the wave nature of electrons. By designing an extremely rigid silicon-based molecule under 1 nm in length that exhibited comprehensive destructive interference signatures, they devised a novel technique for blocking tunnelling conduction. This new design principle has the potential to support continued miniaturization of classic transistors in the near term.Read More

A laser pulse that for a few picoseconds transforms a material into a high-temperature superconductor. Different experiments have unveiled this interesting phenomenon, with potential applicative implications. Research carried out by scientists a year ago had already provided several basic principles of the phenomenon.Read More

A team of researchers with members from several institutions in the U.S. and Russia has found evidence that suggests spin liquids in ferromagnets may be similar to dipole liquids in ferroelectrics. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes their study of molecular crystals and what they found. Ben Powell with the University of Queensland offers a Perspective piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue.Read More

Scientists have discovered properties in naturally occurring solution-processed quantum wells that are likely to impact the growing field of low-cost perovskite based optoelectronics. They created a general scaling law that researchers can use to determine how to tune the electronic properties of 2D perovskite-based materials for devices.Read More